u/robojoe_58

On 5/1/2026, I had a fall trotting downhill, landed on my left shoulder, dislocating it and fracturing the humerus and socket. Much pain and ER to get it back in, released with strong recommendation to see surgeon about possible surgery.

I saw my chosen surgeon after a couple of days and a painful drive (wife took me as I can't drive myself) to one of his "outer" offices, just to get things going quickly. He examined and told me just how much I screwed the pooch-shoulder, with either arthroscopic or open surgery needed - he would need to start with arthroscopic to see what he really needed to do.

The surgery happened on 5/26 and was completely arthroscopic - good news, right? Well he bluntly told me that the tissue was a mess and to do exactly what he directed for any chance of recovery, without going back and replacing the joint.

I have done exactly as directed and have noticed than my immobilized shoulder seems to be "sharper" across the top than my right one. Is this normal due to atrophy, which can be recovered in the PT phase, or is it something else?

I would like to hear from anyone that has experienced this or similar. My next follow-up is 7/1, and I hope to start the PT phase then. It feels a lot better but still has some dull but manageable pain in the joint, nothing screaming at me.

On 5/1/2026, I had a fall trotting downhill, landed on my left shoulder, dislocating it and fracturing the humerus and socket. Much pain and ER to get it back in, released with strong recommendation to see surgeon about possible surgery.

I saw my chosen surgeon after a couple of days and a painful drive (wife took me as I can't drive myself) to one of his "outer" offices, just to get things going quickly. He examined and told me just how much I screwed the pooch-shoulder, with either arthroscopic or open surgery needed - he would need to start with arthroscopic to see what he really needed to do.

The surgery happened on 5/26 and was completely arthroscopic - good news, right? Well he bluntly told me that the tissue was a mess and to do exactly what he directed for any chance of recovery, without going back and replacing the joint.

I have done exactly as directed and have noticed than my immobilized shoulder seems to be "sharper" across the top than my right one. Is this normal due to atrophy, which can be recovered in the PT phase, or is it something else?

I would like to hear from anyone that has experienced this or similar. My next follow-up is 7/1, and I hope to start the PT phase then. It feels a lot better but still has some dull but manageable pain in the joint, nothing screaming at me.

Is anybody here because they can no longer stomach Nextdoor?

I have gotten a LOT of useful information on these boards. I have another question. This one regarding choice of doctor versus distance.

I had my fourth ablation in December 2025 (2 for flutter, which was resolved. 2 for Afib).

I had to fire the cardiologist that I found myself with when number 4 was discovered because of terrible staff - I felt the EP was competent. He had just started a new practice and growing pains were everywhere - I just couldn't trust the ones working for him.

The Electrophysiologist I hired to take me on was a very good fit. We went forward with cardioversion 11/2025 and Ablation (doctor said all he had to do was "tidy up work done in 2015) 12/2025. Neither of which stuck.

Then, my new Electrophysiologist notified me that he was physically moving but had gotten me in with one of his peers, who happens to be one of the best, most respected Electrophysiologist in my region. I saw him/did all of the tests again, and he wants to do Flecainide 50mg twice a day starting 7 days before another cardioversion. This is scheduled for July.

The problem is: the hospital & cath lab where he does this stuff is 25 miles away in horrible traffic. My wife hates driving in that traffic and we have at least 2 hospitals near here and his practice that have great, world class facilities, yet he won't do it there or collaborate with a colleague on the procedure at either of these hospitals.

There are other Electrophysiologists near me that do procedures at these two, much closer, hospitals. I see good/great ratings/reviews for them.

Should I stay with one of the best, beg my wife to take me, or should I go, get the records/charts transferred for transportation and spousal peace of mind?

I am stable, heart not racing (beta blocker is working) HBP controlled, and heart not enlarging yet.

If you have Sleep Apnea, have it controlled by weight loss to the point of ZERO snoring as reported by spouse, and HBP controlled, will your afib get better, perhaps resolve over time?

Has anyone here converted back to sinus rhythm using just Flecainide?

How did it go after that? Did the EP insist on doing a cardioversion, ablation after? What were their reasons for wanting to do that, when the drug has converted you?